Rotary motor



March 14, 1944. J. A. BELLAZINI 2,343,948

ROTARY MoToR Filed oct. 4o, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 March 14, 1944. J, A.B-ELLAZINI ROTARY MOTOR Filed Oct. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 PatentedMar. 14, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY MOTOR Joseph A.Beuazini, chicago, n1. mutation Octoberv 1o, 1942, serial No. 461,508

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to rotarym'otors, vand more particularlyis directed t rotary motors of the type adapted to function as -anengine, adapted, to be operated either by steam, or as an internalcombustion engine, or wherein the motor may function as a'pump for thehandling of liquids. Y y

Motors ofthe general type to which the present invention pertains haveheretoforebeen constructed so that the impeller elements or pistons eachperform a single operating'stroke during a `complete revolutionof theimpeller. Such constructions are now considered inefncient because of arelativelylimited amount of power capable of being produced thereby fora unit of given size, and because of the appreciable weight entailed insuch design per unit of power produced or work capable of being done. t

' The present invention has for its primary object the provision of animproved motor yof the character indicated, having a plurality ofimpellers or pistons each adapted during a single rotation to produceaplurality o f'operating or power strokes.l v

` Another object is to providev an improved motor of the'characterindicated, characterized by the provision of a plurality of impellerspivotally mounted for 'rotary movement as a 'unit' about the axis of thepower shaft', and whereina fixed cam together with the inner wall of thecasing are lcooperatively formed to control the path of move.-

ment of the yimpellers for causing the impellers to deliver apluralityvofvv operating or power strokes during each single revolutionof the power shaft".v y 4A further object is to provide an improvedmotor of the character indicated which is relatively simpleinconstruction, composed of a minimum number of parts, and which can becompactly arranged and which permitl obtaining relatively high operatingefficiency.'l

Still another object is to provide an improved motor-of the characterindicated, characterized by the provision of a plurality ofimpellersrotatable as a unit about theK axis lof aA power shaft,- between a pairof parallel top and bottom walls ofia casing, together withiixed cammeans arranged concentrically with respect tothe axis of thepower shaft,and cooperating inner walls of thecasing by virtue of which theeffective operating chamber of each impeller is gradually varied incubical volume, incident to rotation about the axis of the shaft. p f@Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe followingV description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: f

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the motor embodying the present invention,shown as adapted for use as a steam engine, with the cover plate or headremoved.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the lmotor, taken as indicated atline 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1, showing one of theimpeller elements in a different position of adjustment.

Fig. 4 is a transverse view through the motor, taken as indicated atline 4-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view, taken at line 5-5 onFig. 1, showing the sealing arrangement of one of the impeller elementswith respect to the walls of the casing.`

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of my motor,adapted for use as an internal combustion engine.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 6 of the modified form,showing one of the impeller elements in another position of adjustment.

In the construction represented in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, themotor is shown as a steam engine and includes a cylindrical casing I0,provided with an intermediate partition wall I I to form an upper closedmain chamber I2, and a lower auxiliary chamber I4. The upper or mainchamber I2 is adapted to be closed by a cover plate or head I5, and thebottom of thev lower chamber I4 is closed by a plate I6. The upper coverplate or head I5 is adapted to be seated upon a sealing gasket I1 so asto completely seal the main chamber I2. Extending upwardly through thelower plate I6 and into both of the chambers I2 and I4, is a rotatablepower shaft I8. It is to be understood that said shaft is provided withsuitable bearings and seals (not shown) in the plate I6 and partitionwall II. The upper end of said shaft I8 terminates adjacent the underside of the cover plate or head I5.

Keyed to the upper end of the shaft I8, in the main chamber I2, is acarrier including a collar 20 provided with three circumferentiallyspaced apart radially extending arms 2|, the arms ybeing spaced apartequal angular distances. Pivotally connected at 24 to the outer end ofeach of the arms of the carrier is an impeller memberZI, said impellers`being rotatable with the carrier as a unit. i

Mounted below the collar20, and rigidlysecured to the upper surfacev ofthe partition II, Ibyl-,means of screws 2 8,.is aV xedcam 3i), disposedcentrally relatively to the shaft I8. As may be secn in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, the peripheral or operating surface of the cam is composed oftwo identical, connected cam surfaces 3l, for purposes hereinafter to bedescribed.

Mounted adjacent the outer wall of the main chamber I2 are twoidentically and circumferentially spaced apart curved wall portions 35,hav-` ing the curved surfaces thereof disposed inwardly of the wall ofthe casing, and merging at one end intothe inner wall of the casing, andthe otherv endterrninating in an inclined surface as indicated at 36.The two curved wall portions 35 are disposed in diametrically oppositerelation to each other and are so co-related withv respect totherespective cam surfaces 3I of thev cam as to effect complete controlofthe position of impeller elements 26 in their movement about the axisof the powershaft I8.; 'The'cem ter of curvature of the innermostportions of each of the curved wall portions as indicated by the spacemarked X, on one of the portions 35, is at the axis of the shaft I8, andthe center .e let ports 45, under control of the valve 46, behind thecross members of the i-mpeller elements.

of curvature of the portions of the cam 30 as indicated on one of thecams 3I and, marked Y, is alsolocated at Vthe axis of the shaft I8. Theentire inner curved surfaces of the curved wall portions'35, includingthe inclined portions 36, togethenwith the remaining exposed portionofthe inner wall of thecasing I0,`constitute a continuous sealing wallengageable by the impeller elements 26. A

Each of the impeller elements 26 include a curved arme3, the center ofcurxvratur thereof b eingralsov at the axis `of the shaft I8, and theradius of curvature of the outersurface of the arms A38 being equal tothe radius of curvature of the inner surfaces of wall portions 35 forthe distance indicated at X. Consequently, Vwhen the-,shaft I8iserotated, the outer surface of the arms 38 of the impellers adjacentthepivots 24, will move in close contact with the surfaces` X and thuseffect a seal therewith.

The ends of the impeller elements opposite the pivot 24 rare formed withcross members 40., The outer end of each cross member is adapted to rideupon the inner surface .of the'curved wall portions 35 gandgalsvo theremaininginner surface of the wall of the casing I0. V'l'he opposite orinner ends .ofthe cross members are Aprovided wtih rollers 4I which areadapted tov ride upon the cam surfaces 3|. Y.,

The `top and bottom surfaces .of the i-mpeller elements26 areforrnedYwith grooves 42 in which are seated seal element 43 of U-shaped crosssection whicheare urged outwardly with respect to the surface .of theimpeller elements lby means of sinuous form ofleaf springs 44, the4spring and the seal elements `being loosely secured in position in thegrooves `4 2 by rivets 45, which have their heads spaced from the bottomof the seals, as seen in Fig. 5, asto` allow adequate range offlexibility Vfor, permitting the springs to urge the seals outwardly7into sealingv engagement with the adjacent surfacefof the'partition IIand the under side of theV coverplate I5. As may be seen in Fig. 1 ofthedrawings, the seal 43 extends lengthwise of the arm 384 of the impeller,terminating adjacent they pivot 24, in an outwardly extending 4 portion,43a, at the outer periphery of the cur'vedsurface of the arm 38. At theopposite end of the impeller element,'a seal 44, is disposed at anobtuseangle to the main seal 43, and the outer end of said seal .44terminatesin sealing engagement `with the inner sealing wallof thechanrber. Itis'by virtue of thesealing curved wall portions 35, is asteam inlet port 45, each of said ports 'being separately controlledvlby valves 46, which communicatel with a separate steam supply conduit41.

In operation, steam is introduced into the in- Introduction of thesteam, however, desirably 'mustbe `controlled in timed relationship tothe impellers 26, andfor this purpose a cam 50 is keyed to the shaft I8in the lower compart-` mentor chamber I4. A pair of oppositely disposedpush rods 5I, carrying rollers 52 at their inner ends, are adaptedtoride upon the lobes of the cam 50,and each of saidpush rods being`connected to -a lever 53 which functions to control the adjacent valve46. When the shaft I6 is in theV position substantially as indicated inFig. 3 of the drawings, one of the lobes of the cam 50 Ihas engaged thecorresponding push rod 5I, operating the lever 53, for causing anopening of the adjacent .valve 4'6, admitting steam through the inletport V45. It will be apparent that the steam, as may be clearlyunderstood from Fig. 3 of the drawingsrwill be introduced in the chamberA, behind the crossmember 4D of vthe mpeller, after the vmember passesbeyond the inlet port45, and as the steam expandait will cause clockwiserotation of the impeller, thereby imparting rotary motion to the shaftI8 .in a.

clockwise direction. During this movement thel arm 38 of the impeller,adjacentthe pivot end 24, rides in sealing contact upon the surface X ofthe adjacent curved wall portion 35 and effects a seal therewith and theouter portion-of the cross head 40 is maintained in sealing enf gagementwith the inner surface of the casing by arrives at a position todisengage the pushrod 4 5I, and the supply of steam to the inlet ports45 is cut off. Slight further ,rotary *movement of the impeller thencauses the variable chamber, formed by the sealing engagement of theimpeller with the sealing wall of the chamber, to come into registrywith an exhaust port A55, as seen in Fig. 1, formed in the lwall of the.casing, and ywhich permits the steam behind thecoss head to beexhausted, there being Vanleihaust port, adjacent eachrinlet; port.Thus, by. yvirtue of the construction described, each impeller during asingle revolutionabout the axis of theshatt VI8 performs two separatepower strokes?. It His by virtue ofthis construction vthat it ispossible to obtain a relatively high speed motor which is efficient andcompactk and of minimumv weight for the amount ofpower producedthereby.Ae

In Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings I have shown shown a modifled .form ofmyilmproved motor, which is constructed tofunction as an internalcombustion engine. vThe construction shown in Figs.- 6 and 7 isidentical with that'represented in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings withthe' exception that lthe-fuel-inlet portsI indicated at 4lill open tothe interior of the chamber through the curved-Wall portions 35,adjacent the inclined surfaces 36, and seatedin openings 6| 'formed inthe inclined portions 36 of said curved wall portions are spark plugs62. For such use the cross head of the impeller is of slightly modifiedcontour and includes an auxiliary sealing gasket 64 at the upper end ofthe cross head 40, to insure maintenance of sealing engagement with theinclined surfaces 36, aswell as the other portions of -the-continuoussealing Wall, .as the impeller rotates within the casing. f

It'will be understood, of course, that the lobes of the cam 50 whichcontrol the fuel inlet will be. of slightly modified shapev so as toafford a shorter interval of time for the introduction of thecombustible mixture. Said mixture is forcibly injected by suitable powerdriven means not shown. Itwill nowbe seen that when the impeller isinthe position shown at the lower portion of Fig.,6 of the drawings, theterminal portion 43a of the sealing gasket,` and the end of theauxiliary sealing gasket [i4-are in such a position as to form acompletely enclosed chamber B. vAs the impeller 26 moves clockwise, theouter end of the cross head rides down the inclined surface 36, with thesealing gasket 64 in contact with said inclined surface for maintainingsealing of the combustible mixture in the chamber B. During this periodthe effective cubical volume of the chamber B is gradually reduced, thuscompressing the combustible-fuel in said chamber B.

At the end of the -compression stroke, which will correspond to theposition of the impeller at which the .chamber B is of minimumvolumetric contenfts,.it may be understood that the spark plu-g 62 iscaused to ignite the compressed combustible mixture, thus imparting apower stroke to the back of the cross head of the impeller, driving itforwardly in clockwise direction. Such forward Vvmovement causes thevolumetric size of -the chamber B to increase until the chamber B comesinto registrationwith an exhaust port 66, forpennitting the gaseslcaulsedby explosion of the combustible mixture to be exhausted. While,I have not shown or described any operating connections for timing ofthespark plugs, it is to be understood that any suitable conventionalarrangement may .be employed, and if desiredumay be connected for timedoperation bythe operating shaft I8. When the motor is utilized as aninternal combustion engine the advantages of its construction will beattained in the samel manner as when Aused as a steam engine, namely, inthat eachimpeller during a single revolution will have imparted theretotwo separate applications of power for effecting rotation of the shaft I8.

Furthermore, Ait will be noted that my improved motor, both in the formof a steam engine and an internal combustion engine, is so designed thatas to obtain an improved mechanical advantage not heretofore attained byreason of the lever arm of each impeller being considerably greater inlength than the power` stroke of the impeller. lIt will be apparent,however, that if desired, my engine may beso designed that the lever armof the impeller and the power stroke are of equal lengths. I The novelconstruction of motor herein disclosed'als' lends itself 4:forsatisfactory and emcient embodiment as a pump. When the motor is to beused as a pump obviouslythe connections for steam and/or combustiblefuel may be dispensed with. and the shaft I8 will then be power drivenfor rotating the" impellers in a. counterclockwise direction or in otherwords, reverse fromthe direction when it is used'as an engine.

Although I have :herein shown and described certain preferredembodiments of my invention, manifestly it is capable of furthermodification and rearrangement of parts without departing from thespirit and scope thereof I do not, therefore, wish to be understood aslimiting this invention to the. precise forms herein disclosed, exceptas I may be so limited by theappended claims.` f

I claim as my invention:

1. In a devicefof the character described, the combination of a casingincluding a closed main chamber, a plurality of curved circumferentiallyspaced apart wall portions spaced inwardly from the inner wallof thecasing, each of said wall portions merging at one end into the innerwall of the casing and the other end terminatingin an inclined surfaceextending to said inner wall of the casing, said curved wall portionstogether with portions of the inner wall of the casing constituting acontinuous sealing wall, a centrally disposed rotatable shaft extendinginto the chamber of the casing, a cam'iixedly secured in position in thechamber in central relationship to the axis of the shaft, said'camhaving aiplurality of similar connected cam surfaces, a carrier xedlysecured on the shaft within said main chamber, and a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced apart impellers pivotally connected to saidcarrier, the portion of jeach impeller, opposite the pivot, having aninner end positioned in engagement with the periphery of the cam, and anouter end engaging said sealing wall, said curved wall portions and camsurfaces being of correspondingnumber and disposed in such correlationas to cause said outer ends of the impellerstofmaintain'sealingengagement with said sealing Wall, said impellers each being ofelongated formation engaging top and bottom walls of the main chamberand having a portion adjacent its pivot formed to engage said rsealingwall at certain angular positions of adjustment in the main chamberwhich together with the engagement of the opposite end of the impellerwith the sealing wall forms a closed variable chamber.

2. In a device of the character described, the

. combination of a casing including a closed main chamber, a pluralityof curved circumferentially spaced apart wall portions spaced inwardlyfrom the inner wall of the casing, each of said wall portions merging atone end into the inner wall of the casing andthe other end terminatingin an inclined surface extending to said inner Wall of the casing, saidcurved wall portions together with portions of the inner wall of thecasing constituting a continuous sealing wall, a centrally disposedrotatable shaftextending into the chamber pf the casing, a cam fixedlysecured in position in the chamber in central relationship to the axisof the shaft, said cam having a plurality of similar connected camsurfaces, a carrier fixedly secured on the shaft within said mainchamber, and a plurality of circu-mferentially spaced apart impellerspivot-v ally connectedl to said carrier, the portion of each impellelf.Opposite the pivot, having an inner endy positionedA in engagement with`.the

' saidouterends ofthe'impellers to maintain seal-` ing engagement withsaid [sealing wallsaid impellers each being of` elongated formation andhaving a portion adjacent -its vpivotiormed to engagesaid sealing wallat certain angular. positions ofadjustment, in themain chamber whichtogether with the engagement lof ,the opposite end of the impeller-withthe,sealingwallsforms arclosed variable chamber, said main chamberbeing providedwithfa plurality of. pairs of inlet and outletportscorresponding'in number to said cam surfaces said inlet and outletportsbeing positioned to have the'closed variable chambers formed bythev impellers sequentially registered therewith and said variablechambers gradually increasing in cubical dimensions from the time ofregistry with an inletport until the time of registry with an exhaustport, whereby A each impeller is adapted to deliver a plurality ofoperating strokes during each complete revolution.

3. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination of acasingincluding a closed main chamber, a plurality of curved circumferentiallyspaced apart wall portions spaced inwardly from the inner wall of thecasing, each of said wall portions merging at one `encl into the innerwall of the casing andthe other end terminating in an inclined surfaceextending to said inner Wall of the casingsaid curved ywall portionstogether withportions of the inner wall of the casing conf stitutingacontinuous sealing wall, a centrallyv disposed rotatabley ,shaftextending into the chamber of the' casing,`a cam'xedly securedinposition in ther chamber in central relationship to the axis4 oftheshaft, said cam having a plurality of similar connected cam surfaces,a carrier xedly secured on the shaft within said main chamber, and aplurality of circumferentially spaced apart impellers pivotallyconnected to said carrier, the portion of each impeller, opposite thepivot, having an inner end positioned in engagement with the peripheryof the cam, and an outer end engaging said sealing wall, saidcurvediwall portions and cam surfaces being of corresponding number anddisposed in such correlation as to cause said outer ends of theimpellers to maintain sealing engagement with said sealing wall,vsaidimpellers each being of elongated formation engagingtop and bottom wallsof the `main .chamberand havinga portion adjacent its pivot formed toengage said sealing wall atcertain angular positions of adjustment inthe main chamber to -form` a variable chamber, said main chamber beingprovided with'stearn inlet ports in each ofl said inclined surfaces ofsaid curved wall portions, and outlet ports Aspacedcircumferentiallyfrelatively yto the inlet ports,

j whereby said variable chambers formedv by. said impellers are causedVto sequentially'register re spectively with said inlet andoutletportsyj 4. Ina device of the 'characterdescribed the combination of 'acasing includingv a closed main chamber, a pluralityofcurvedcircumferentially spaced apart-wall portions'spacedinwardlyfr'om theinner wall of the casing, each' ofy said' wall portionsmerging at one endinto J"the innerwall of the casing arid thel other end'terminating in an inclined surface extending to said inner wall of the`casing,said curved wall portions together with'portions of theinnerywallwof-thefCaSing constituting .al continuous scealin'gl wall;-ia? cen# trally disposed rotatable yshaft extending into the ,chamber ofthe casing, a cam xedly secured and an outer end engaging said sealingwall, said curved` wall portions and cam surfaces being of correspondingnumber andzdisposed insuch correlation as to cause said outer ends ofthe irnpelle'rs to maintain sealing engagement withsaid sealing wall,said impellers each being Iof elongated,formationengaging top and bottomwalls ofthe main chamber and having a portion adjacent its pivot formedto engage said sealing wall at certain Aangular' positions of adjustmentin the main chamber to forma variable chamber, said main chamber beingprovided with steam inletportsin each of said inclinedl surfaces of saidcurved Wallportions, and outlet ports spaced circumferentiallyrelatively to the rinlet ports, whereby said variable chambers formed bysaid impellers are caused to sequentially register respectively withsaid inlet and outlet ports, and timing Vmeans for .supplying steamthroughfthe inlet ports when the variable chambers of- .the impellersarevin registration therewith.

5. In a device of the character described,.the combinationof a casingincluding a closedpmain chamber, a plurality of 'curvedcircumferentially spaced apart wall portions spaced inwardly from,theiinnerwall of the rcasing, each of said wall portions mergingl atone end into the inner wall of the casing and the other endterminatingin an inclined surface extending rto said inner wall ofthe casing, saidcurved wall portions together with portions of the inner wall of thecasing constituting a continuous sealing wall, va centrally disposedrotatable shaft extending into the chamber of the casing, a cam xedlysecured in position'in thechamber in central relationship to the axis ofthe shaft, said cam havingy a plurality of similar connected camsurfaces, a carrier xedly secured on the shaft within said main chamber,a plurality of circumferentially spaced rapart impellers pivotallyconnected to said-carrier, the portion of each impeller, opposite thepivot, having an inner end positioned in engageL -ment with theperiphery of the cam, andan main chamber being provided with steam inletports in each of said'inclined surfaces ofsaid curved wall portions, andoutlet ports spaced circumferentially relatively to the inletports,where' bysa'id variable chambers formedby said impellersarecausedto sequentially register respectively with said inlet andoutletports, andr timing means for supplying steam through the inletports 'whenthe variable ,chambersiof theirnf pellers are in registrationtherewith, said timing means including a cam lxedly secured on saidshaft outside of the main chamber, together with operating followerscooperating with said cam for controlling the inlet ports.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a casingincluding a closed main chamber, a plurality of curved circumferentiallyspaced apart wall portions spaced inwardly from the inner Wall of thecasing, each of said wall portions, merging at one end into the innerwall of the casing and the other end terminating in an inclined surfaceextending to said inner wall of the casing, said curved Wall portionstogether with portions of the inner wall of the casing constituting acontinuous sealing wall, a centrally disposed rotatable shaft extendinginto the chamber of the casing, a cam fixedly secured in position in thechamber in central relationship to the axis of the shaft, said camhaving a plurality of similar connected cam surfaces,

a carrier xedly secured on the shaft within said main chamber, aplurality cf circumferentially spaced apart impellers pivotallyconnected to said carrier, the portion of each impeller, op-

posite the pivot, having an inner end positioned.

in engagement with the periphery of the cam, and an outer end engagingsaid sealing Wall, said curved Wall portions and cam surfaces being ofcorresponding number and disposed in such correlation as to cause saidouter ends of the impellers to maintain sealing engagement with saidsealing wall, said impellers each being of elongated formation engagingtop and bottom Walls of the main chamber and having a portion adjacentits pivot formed to engage said sealing wall at certain angularpositions of adjustment in the main chamber to form a variable chamber,said main chamber being provided with fluid fuel inlet ports openingthrough each of said curved Wall portions, adjacent said inclinedportions thereof, and exhaust ports spaced circumferentially relativelyto said inlet ports, spark plugs seated in openings communicating withthe interior of the chamber and located between each pair of inlet andoutlet ports, and timing means operated from said shaft for controllingthe supply of fuel to said inlet ports.

7. In a device of the character described, the

combination of a casing including a closed main chamber, a plurality ofcurved circumferentially spaced apart wall portions spaced inwardly fromthe inner wall of the casing, each of said wall portions merging at oneend into the inner wall of the casing and the other end terminating inan inclined surface extending to said inner wall of the casing, saidcurved wall portions together with portions of the inner wall of thecasing constituting a continuous sealing wall, a centrally disposedrotatable shaft extending into the chamber of the casing, a cam xedlysecured in position in the chamber in central relationship to the axisof the shaft, said cam having a plurality of similar connected camsurfaces, a carrier xedly secured on the shaft within said main chamber,a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart impellers pivotallyconnected to said carrier, the portion of each impeller, opposite thepivot, having an inner end positioned in engagement with the peripheryof the cam, and an outer end engaging said sealing wall, said curvedwall portions and cam surfaces being of corresponding number anddisposed in such correlation as to cause said outer ends of theimpellers to maintain sealing engagement with said sealing wall, saidimpellers each being of elongated formation engaging top and bottomwalls of the main chamber and having a portion adjacent its pivot formedto engage said sealing Wall at certain angular positions of adjustmentin the main chamber to form a variable chamber, said main chamber beingprovided with fluid fuel inlet ports opening through each of said curvedWall portions, adjacent said inclined portions thereof, and exhaustports spaced circumferentially relatively to said inlet ports, sparkplugs seated in openings formed in each of said inclined portions ofsaid curved Wall portions and communicating with the interior of thechamber and located between each pair of inlet and outlet ports, andtiming means operated from said shaft for controlling the supply of fuelto said inlet ports.

JOSEPH A. BELLAZINI.

